A clutch of civic action groups and resident welfare associations on Monday chalked out plans to protest the proposed shifting of the Telangana Secretariat and Assembly to Bison Polo Ground at a round table conference at the Press Club in the city.
“Hyderabad has only 3% green cover while Delhi and Bengaluru have 10%. The construction of the Secretariat and Assembly will further erode the green cover of the city. We want to start a debate about the need to shift the offices and legislature, when we have a fully functioning one in the city,” said Krishank, a former Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC) leader, who organised the meeting.
“We are planning to hold a human chain on June 4 at KBR Park. We will oppose the Strategic Road Development Plan (SRDP). This is our city, we are not here for five years, we are here for a lifetime. We cannot have short term goals. The KBR Ridge is higher than Charminar and is the heart of the city. What is the need for encroaching the park to develop roads,” said Kaajal, who is part of the group campaigning against the SRDP in KBR Park.
Real estate lobby
“Land meant for common use is being usurped in the name of Vaastu . I don’t think it is being done for the sake of that but to benefit the real estate and construction lobby. It began with the plan for skyscrapers around Hussainsagar, then on Chest Hospital, KBR Park, and now this. Why is this government keen on destroying the city’s historic character?” said Padmaja Shaw, a former OU professor.
